The GD Team of the Faculty of theology of Saint Paul University, in partership with the Conférences St-Alex of St-Alexandre Parish/Gatineau, presented the lecture of Bother Benoît Michel BILLOT, a Benedictine monk of Etiolles (France): En chacun un trésor à découvrir. The event was held on March 11, 2016 at St-Alexandre Parish, Gatineau, Quebec.

Benoit Michel BILLOT, after being trained as a biologist, embraces the monastic life at St. Benedict Priory at Étiolles (France). As a priest he took charge of spiritual animation, engaged in dialogue with other religions (Buddhism in particular, where he was recognized as a Zen teacher), followed a course of psychoanalysis and psychology initiation (with Graf Dürckheim), and promoted hesychasm. He founded The House of Tobias to promote the spiritual life in relation to the body, the psyche and the world traditions. At the Priory of Etiolles, he has responsibility for the garden and singing. Some works: Voyage dans les monastères zen – Desclée de Brouwer 1987, Le moine, l’Imam et le Rabbin, Conversation - Calmann-Lévy 2002, Le chemin de Tobie – Lethielleux 2003, L’assise en Dieu – Arsis 2006, Voyage spirituel dans le bouddhisme zen – Actes-Sud 2009, Comment peut-on être chrétien ? - Le Relié 2009, Grandir avec la Bible- Flammarion 2011, L’Energie féconde des Sacrements - Mediaspaul 2014.

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The GD Team of the Faculty of theology of Saint Paul University, in partership with the Conférences St-Alex of St-Alexandre Parish/Gatineau, presented the lecture of Father Yves GIRARD, a Trappist monk of Val Notre Dame, St-Jean-de-Matha, Quebec: Tu a été construit pour être vaincu en étant saisi au coeur. The event was held on February 12, 2016 at St-Alexandre Parish, Gatineau, Quebec.

A monk for over 60 years, animator of numerous conferences, and author of books on contemplative prayer, Father Girard has become a well known public figure. In 1981, to highlight the fifteenth centenary of the birth of St. Benedict, the monastery in Oka, Québec, decided to open its doors to welcome Christians desiring to deepen their interiority. Because of the popularity engendered by Father Girard's sessions, the latter was invited to put to pen the essential contents of his teaching. A first volume, 'Solitude Graciée', soon ensued (1981) and this was subsequently followed by the completion of 17 books and the holding of over 600 lectures! Father Girard is rightly regarded to be one of great spiritual figures of our time.

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he Faculty of theology of Saint Paul University, in partership with the Conférences St-Alex of St-Alexandre Parish/Gatineau, presented the lecture of Gérard SIEGWALT, Lutheran théologian et pastor, University of Strasbourg (France) : Le silence, source de renouveau. The event was held on November 11, 2013 at St-Alexandre Parish, Gatineau, Quebec.​